Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the
relative teaching time and student effort required to
successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may
include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also
the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and
complete all assessment requirements, including any
non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None.

Course Description

This unit applies to translators and interpreters and covers skills and knowledge required to ensure that translators and interpreters apply current and relevant standards of professional and ethical behaviour in general settings. The unit requires knowledge of professional codes of ethics and their application to practice. It requires the ability to consider a range of professional issues and to reflect on and continuously develop practice. This unit will be delivered in a cluster with the following units:

1.1. Use reliable sources of information to ensure that knowledge of ethical practice and professional issues is current, comprehensive and relevant.
1.2. Maintain productive professional relationships and networks to facilitate awareness of current issues.
1.3. Analyse applicable codes of ethics and conduct and their relationship to work practices.

Element:

2. Apply ethical standards to professional practices.

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Reflect on and evaluate ethical practices in work assignments.
2.2. Identify and examine factors that impact on professional and ethical decision making.
2.3. Apply codes of ethics and conduct and standards of professional practice to develop strategies for dealing with possible dilemmas.
2.4. Promote ethical standards and practice with clients, colleagues and others.

Element:

3. Evaluate professional practices and knowledge related to ethical practice.

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Monitor and review practice in relation to standards of ethics and conduct.
3.2. Seek advice and feedback on performance to improve ethical practice.
3.3. Participate in professional development activities and networks to address identified needs in current ethical practice.

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities
The learning activities will be co-delivered with LANG5767C Maintain and enhance professional practice. Learning activities include practical demonstrations, simulated activities, discussions, written or online tests, logbook, checklists, and guest speakers from the industry.
Online groups only - learning activities are listed on the blackboard shell for the program in a folder titled Learning Activities. Each activity requires students to undertake a task and report back. Activities may include quizzes, site visits, discussion board entries, research reports, journals.

Teaching Schedule

Full Time Clustered Teaching Schedule: Delivered in 12 sessions. Weekly schedule to be provided by the instructor.
This unit is a part of the cluster: Negotiate translating and interpreting assignments, Prepare to translate and interpret, Apply codes and standards to ethical practice and Maintain and enhance Professional Practice. The units may be delivered concurrently.

Assessment 2: Class Quiz
(Week 7 or 8. To be advised by the instructor)

Assessment 3: Class Written Test

2

Assess ability to complete assignment

3

Respond to assignment proposal.

4

Analyse assignment information for planning purposes

Prepare to translate and interpret

5

Establish familiarity with topic and context.

6

Develop work plan

7

Review and evaluate work plan

8

Develop knowledge of ethical and professional issues.

Apply codes and standards to ethical practice

9

Apply ethical standards to professional practices.

10

Evaluate professional practices and knowledge related to ethical practice

11

Model high standards of performance

Maintain and enhance Professional Practice

12

Determine personal development needs.

13

Participate in professional development activities

14

Reflect on and evaluate professional practice

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Learning material will be provided in class.

References

Other Resources

The unit is supported online using Blackboard. The Blackboard gives access to important announcements, staff contacts details, the teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials. Access to Blackboard can be found at myRMIT www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

GUSS Skills Central (http://Gussskillscentral.edu.au/) is a site developed specifically for students in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT. It provides links to a range of resources for supporting student work on assessments and negotiating university studies more generally.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be ongoing during the semester, and you will receive feedback on your progress. You will undertake a variety of assessment tasks and activities to assess your level of competence against key elements and performance criteria.

From week 1 onwards you will be observed in simulated interpreting practice as part of the interpreting class activity.
Observation list will be provided with expected standard to achieve a CA (Competency Achieved) for this assessment task.

Assessment 2: Class QuizYou will be given class quiz to test on your understanding and knowledge of the industry, professional issues, relevant ethical codes and standards taught in this unit.
You will be assessed ‘CA’ (Competent) or NYC (Not Competent Yet) for this assessment

Assessment 3: Class Written Test
You will be given a written test in Week 12 ( or in your last scheduled session. Date to be advised) to test your knowledge and application of ethical codes and standards theories and concepts.
You will be assessed ‘CA’ (Competent) or NYC (Not Competent Yet) for this assessment.

Assessment Matrix

Full Time Group

Elements

Assessment 1

Assessment 2

Assessment 3

Develop knowledge of ethical and professional issues.

X

X

Apply ethical standards to professional practices.

X

X

X

Evaluate professional practices and knowledge related to ethical practice.

X

X

X

Other Information

GRADING INFORMATION

This course uses a competency-based assessment and will be graded as follows:
CA (Competency Achieved)
NYC (Not Yet Competent)
DNS (Did Not Submit)

All competency-based assessment tasks for this course must be completed at the required level (see the elements and key performance criteria for each unit) in order to achieve a CA (Competency Achieved) award.If a student has not completed ALL the assessment tasks or they have completed but some or all are not at the required level, they will be assessed as NYC (Not Yet Competent).

If a student does not submit assessment tasks at all, a DNS result will be entered.
Learning Resources
RMIT Library
The University Library provides extensive services, facilities and study space as well as comprehensive collections of books, periodicals and other course related materials, such as DVD’s, magazines, slides, films etc. Computer laboratories with access to a wide range of desktop publishing software are also available. The library also has an expanding virtual collection of electronic resources and networks, including product data, e-books, electronic journals and newspapers, web based tutorials, online reference and document delivery services etc., all of which are accessible on campus, and off campus 24 hours per day. More information on library resources and services can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library
The Learning Lab is a collection of web-based resources including tip sheets and interactive tutorials on study skills, writing, English language development and maths. Access RMIT’s Learning Lab online via this link: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/

Assessment Tasks : Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. An application for extension of time must be lodged with your tutor or the course coordinator as early as possible, and no later than one working day before the due date for submission.
You can apply for extension using the University’s Extension Application Form – http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf – or by emailing your course coordinator or tutor directly.
An extension of up to seven calendar days may be granted if good reason can be demonstrated. Include supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) with your application.
Extensions beyond seven calendar days cannot be granted by course coordinators, tutors or the School. To apply for an extension of time greater than seven calendar days you must lodge an application for Special Consideration.
Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Penalties for Late Submission
If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, late submission will be penalised as follows:
1. Assessment tasks submitted after the due date of submission shall receive a penalty of five per cent of the grades available for that assessment per day for each day late.
2. No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date without special consideration.
Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
c) You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

Other Relevant Information

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;

Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;

Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;

Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;

Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and

Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.

Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.

For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y

Plagiarism Software
The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com
Complaints Procedure:
RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.
Student Complaints Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy
Student complaints Procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf